Tag Archives: children

Sometimes when we make mistakes or poor choices we can lose sight of our self worth. We can also let the opinions of others cause us to look down on our own selves and we forget that we too are still somebody. No matter where you are in life right now, please remember that you still have SELF WORTH! Things may seem a little blurry right now and you may feel down but you still have SELF WORTH!

Don’t allow people to put you down just because you are a teen mom. The statics are not who you are. You can rise above it and prove just how much worth you still have. Our decisions are a part of us but they do not define the very essence of who we are. You are going to have to be very selective of the type people that you choose to hang around. Their influence in your life and that of your child will be crucial. They will either encourage you to achieve greater or they will continue to tell you what you can’t do. Be careful who you allow in your inner circle. It’s no longer just you but you have another human being depending on you as well. The choices you make will also lead them. Our children often imitate us on various levels if we play close attention to them.

You must believe in yourself even if no one else will do it. You must encourage yourself even if no one else knows the importance of it. You cannot depend on people to validate your self worth. You must know that on your own first and then others will notice it. How you treat yourself is the standard for everyone else including your child. You are still a jewel in God’s eye sight! You still matter! You are still worth it!

Support your child’s learning at home

14. Demonstrate a positive attitude about education to your children. What we say and do in our daily lives can help them to develop positive attitudes toward school and learning and to build confidence in themselves as learners. Showing our children that we both value education and use it in our daily lives provides them with powerful models and contributes greatly to their success in school.

In addition, by showing interest in their children’s education, parents and families can spark enthusiasm in them and lead them to a very important understanding-that learning can be enjoyable as well as rewarding and is well worth the effort required.

16. Encourage your child to read. Helping your child become a reader is the single most important thing that you can do to help the child to succeed in school-and in life. The importance of reading simply can’t be overstated. Reading helps children in all school subjects. More important, it is the key to lifelong learning. Learn more in Fun Reading Tips and Activities and Fun and Effective Ways to Read with Children.

17. Talk with your child. Talking and listening play major roles in children’s school success. It’s through hearing parents and family members talk and through responding to that talk that young children begin to pick up the language skills they will need if they are to do well. For example, children who don’t hear a lot of talk and who aren’t encouraged to talk themselves often have problems learning to read, which can lead to other school problems. In addition, children who haven’t learned to listen carefully often have trouble following directions and paying attention in class. It’s also important for you to show your child that you’re interested in what he has to say. Talking With Your Child offers some great ideas for using conversation to stimulate language development.

18. Encourage your child to use the library. Libraries are places of learning and discovery for everyone. Helping your child find out about libraries will set him on the road to being an independent learner. Remember that libraries also offer a quiet place for students to complete homework, and are often open in the evening. Learn more about resources for students in Library Services for School-Aged Children.

19. Encourage your child to be responsible and work independently. Taking responsibility and working independently are important qualities for school success. You can help your child to develop these qualities by establish reasonable rules that you enforce consistently, making it clear to your child that he has to take responsibility for what he does, both at home and at school, showing your child how to break a job down into small steps, and monitor what your child does after school, in the evenings and on weekends. If you can’t be there when your child gets home, give her the responsibility of checking in with you by phone to discuss her plans. Learn more in Encourage Responsibility, Independence, and Active Learning.

20. Encourage active learning. Children need active learning as well as quiet learning such as reading and doing homework. Active learning involves asking and answering questions, solving problems and exploring interests. Active learning also can take place when your child plays sports, spends time with friends, acts in a school play, plays a musical instrument or visits museums and bookstores. To promote active learning, listen to your child’s ideas and respond to them. Let him jump in with questions and opinions when you read books together. When you encourage this type of give-and-take at home, your child’s participation and interest in school is likely to increase.

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The following health and safety tips are from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).

Making the First Day Easier

Remind your child that there are probably a lot of students who are uneasy about the first day of school. Teachers know that students are anxious and will make an extra effort to make sure everyone feels as comfortable as possible.

Point out the positive aspects of starting school: It will be fun! She’ll see old friends and meet new ones. Refresh her positive memories about previous years, when she may have returned home after the first day with high spirits because she had a good time.

Find another child in the neighborhood with whom your youngster can walk to school or ride on the bus.

If you feel it is appropriate, drive your child (or walk with her) to school and pick her up on the first day.

Backpack Safety

Choose a backpack with wide, padded shoulder straps and a padded back.

Pack light. Organize the backpack to use all of its compartments. Pack heavier items closest to the center of the back. The backpack should never weigh more than 10 to 20 percent of your child’s body weight.

Always use both shoulder straps. Slinging a backpack over one shoulder can strain muscles.

If your school allows, consider a rolling backpack. This type of backpack may be a good choice for students who must tote a heavy load. Remember that rolling backpacks still must be carried up stairs, and they may be difficult to roll in snow.

Get involved with your child’s school

9. Learn what the school offers. Read the information the school sends home, and ask to receive information in your native language if necessary. Talk to other parents to find out what programs the school offers. Maybe there’s a music program, after-school activity, sports team, or tutoring program your child would enjoy. Remember to keep track of events throughout the school year.

10. Volunteer at your child’s school and/or join your school’s parent-teacher group. Teachers appreciate it when parents help out at the school! There are many ways you can contribute. You can volunteer in your child’s class or in the school library. You can make food for a school event. If you work during the day, you can attend “parents’ night” activities or your child’s performances. At most schools, a group of parents meets regularly to talk about the school. This group is usually called the PTA or PTO. The meetings give you a good chance to talk with other parents and to work together to improve the school. How to Get Involved in Your Child’s School Activities offers some more ideas that you can get involved, especially for busy parents.

Get informed and be an advocate for your child

11. Ask questions. If something concerns you about your child’s learning or behavior, ask the teacher or principal about it and seek their advice. Your questions may be like these — What specific problem is my child having with reading? What can I do to help my child with this problem? How can I stop that bully from picking on my son? How can I get my child to do homework? Which reading group is my child in?

13. Let the school know your concerns. Is your child doing well in school? Is he or she having trouble learning, behaving, or studying? Is there a problem with another student, teacher, or administrator? If you have a concern, How to Let the School Know About Your Concerns describes some steps to take.

As a parent, you are your child’s first and most important teacher. When parents and families are involved in their children’s schools, the children do better and have better feelings about going to school. In fact, many studies show that what the family does is more important to a child’s school success than how much money the family makes or how much education the parents have. There are many ways that parents can support their children’s learning at home and throughout the school year. Here are some ideas to get you started!

Develop a partnership with your child’s teachers and school staff

1. Meet your child’s teacher. As soon as the school year starts, try to find a way to meet your child’s teacher. Let the teacher know you want to help your child learn. Make it clear that you want the teacher to contact you if any problems develop with your child. Talk with your child’s teacher offers some great tips for developing a partnership with your child’s teacher.

If you feel uncomfortable speaking English, don’t let a language barrier stop you. What you have to say is more important than the language you say it in! Ask the school to find someone who can interpret for you. There may be a teacher or parent liaison who can help. Or you can bring a bilingual friend or relative with you.

2. Get to know who’s who at your child’s school. There are many people at your child’s school who are there to help your child learn, grow socially and emotionally, and navigate the school environment. Who’s Who at Your Child’s School describes the responsibilities of teachers, administrators, and district staff. Each school is different but this article will offer a general introduction to personnel of your child’s school.

3. Attend parent-teacher conferences and keep in touch with your child’s teacher. Schools usually have one or two parent-teacher conferences each year. You can bring a friend to interpret for you or ask the school to provide an interpreter. You can also ask to meet with your child’s teacher any time during the year. If you have a concern and can’t meet face-to-face, send the teacher a short note or set up a time to talk on the phone. For more ideas about how to prepare for parent-teacher conferences, see Tips for Successful Parent-Teacher Conferences at Your Child’s School.

What will you be doing with your child/children this summer? I know school age children are excited about summer break and that they get a break from going to school everyday. The learning should not stop just because they are not in school.

I encourage you to make sure you still give them “school work” to do even in the summer. They can read 2 books a month. Going to the library and getting a library card can be fun and enjoyable for them and not something that is dreaded. Make reading fun for them. Act out the characters and read it in funny voices. That’s one thing I wished that I had done with my child more in the younger years. They will be reading the rest of their lives so why not be good at it.

Teach them how to count money. When you go to the store, let them pay for an item where they have to count out change. Learning the importance of money and how to use it early will help as they grow. Teach them how to save money and not waste it. Give them money word problems to solve according to their age level. You can find all kind of free resources on the internet.

I enjoy having a good time more than anybody but don’t have so much fun that you leave out the learning. There are some things that our children can learn from us and then it can be enhanced by the schools. Don’t let all the learning happen in school and none at home. We have forgotten the important lessons are learned at home. Our children should know that at home they learn just as much as they do in school or anywhere else. If you need help, don’t be afraid to ask. Show your children that it’s okay to ask for help so they won’t feel ashamed of it later in life.

Have safe, fun and learning summer! Remember there are no breaks from parenting.

During the holiday season we all rush and scrap all we can to spend money on our children so that they will know we love them or to keep up with the crowd and latest stuff. This year I challenge to not spend more money on your child/children but to spend more time with them.

Our children’s behaviors are learned behaviors. They don’t come out asking for more stuff but they pick up on what we present to them as important. This was something I did up until my daughter was in high school and then the light bulb went off in my head. She doesn’t need more stuff. She needs me to spend quality time. Don’t start you children out being materialistic. That is not what the season is all about. Show them how to give to others. Donate a toy to Toys for Tots. Make a fruit basket and take it to the nursing home. Our children are what we create them to be.

You may already have some stuff put on lay away at a local store or already made the list out. I challenge you to re-evaluate the list and see what is really needed. Read them the true meaning of Christmas from bible. Give your child/children more of your time and they won’t need the stuff.